Rahila A. Foad Memorial and the Foad Family Kindness Scholarship

Rahila Amany Foad (Bebe Jon) passed away peacefully on November 12, 2020.  She was born on February 12, 1941 in Kabul, Afghanistan where she came from a highly respected family and was the oldest of six children. Rahila followed her husband, Fazl A. Foad, MD, who was given the opportunity to study medicine in the United States because he was the top of his medical school class in Afghanistan. Upon her arrival in the United States, she worked in central supply at the local hospital, learned English and befriended people from many diverse backgrounds. The intention was to eventually return to their homeland, resume Rahila’s education, and for Dr. Foad to help improve the lives of the sick. Unfortunately, the Soviet invasion in 1979 erased that dream. What Rahila could not gain in education, she was able to obtain in wisdom. Rahila soon fell in love with the United States and decided to live here forever.

Rahila was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor. She was a gracious hostess and opened her home, heart and cooking to people from all walks of life, including refugees and the poor. Rahila had strong moral character and everyone who knew her considered her to be a very close friend. The friendship ties she preserved were not the reflection of a casual acquaintance. They were the product of a bond formed in the crucible of the human spirit. She led a life of kindness and would always make people feel like they mattered. Rahila handled adversity and conflict with kindness and grace. She had an uncanny ability to befriend everyone she met by injecting her wit and humor. Her beautiful human spirit has touched thousands of lives.

Rahila has four grandchildren who attend the Pleasant Valley School district. Her greatest joy was raising her sons, delighting in their marriages and watching all of her grandchildren grow. She had no greater love than that of her family. The Foad families’ love for her is beyond words and she will be missed beyond measure. 

This scholarship is established in loving memory of her and to perpetuate her acts of kindness, strong moral character and trusting friendship that she has shown throughout her life. Rahila’s attributes will be a brilliant asset to the vitality and future of Pleasant Valley High School graduates.

Criteria to Apply:

• Be a graduating senior from PVHS

• Must display acts of kindness, have strong moral character and lead by befriending people from all walks of life during his/her four years of high school, explained through a scholarship personal statement/essay

• GPA acceptable for college admission and likely to succeed at that chosen institution

• Intention to pursue postsecondary education at a university, college, community college, trade or technical school
• Involved in at least one extra-curricular activity during their four years of high school

Scholarship Personal Statement/Essay:

• Please explain how you've demonstrated acts of kindness, have strong moral character and lead by befriending people from all walks of life during your four years of high school in 200 words or less.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us why you've chosen your field of study.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us what your plans are after your post-secondary education is complete.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us about one of the following: your ability to problem solve, work with others, and/or your dedication to the community.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us how you've overcome an obstacle.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us anything else about yourself you think the selection committee would like to know.

Click here to Apply for a Scholarship

Previous Recipients